Delegation letters

When delegating authority, managers must complete a delegation letter.

Below you’ll find the relevant delegation letter templates for each level of management. Follow the instructions on the right to fill out the delegation letter. If you need help or can’t find the delegation letter you need, please contact the Rector’s Office at legal@au.dk

These delegation provisions primarily apply to delegation from manager to manager. The levels of delegation of authority for managers are described below. Authority can be delegated one level down or two levels down, depending on the reporting relationship. For example, a level-three manager can report directly to a level-one manager (for example, the Rector’s Office head of staff reports directly to the rector), just as a level-five manager can report directly to a level-three manager. 

Details about delegation

Some job titles at AU are used for managers on different levels. For example, the title ‘centre director’ can be used for managers on levels three, four and five; similarly, managers with comparable job responsibilities and level can have different titles. As a consequence, managers at all levels must ensure that their subordinates are assigned to the correct level on the hierarchy of delegation authority and that they are informed of this. 

When decision-making authority is delegated, the delegate is vested with the same duties and powers as the delegator unless otherwise agreed.

A delegate to whom decision-making and signing authority is granted by the rector can further delegate such authority wholly or in part to others, within the framework of these delegation provisions.

The delegator is responsible for ensuring that the delegate is capable of performing the delegated tasks satisfactorily. Delegators also have a duty of supervision toward delegates, and are thus obligated to intervene of their own initiative in decisions and financial transactions not made in compliance with the delegation provisions. The most appropriate form of supervision will depend on the specific task and the qualifications of the delegate.

Supervision might take the form of regular meetings or more specific documentation requirements, described in the individual delegation letter.  

Delegators can revoke delegated decision-making or signing authority at any time. Delegators can set limits on further delegation of authority, even in cases in which such delegation follows explicitly from these delegation provisions.

Questions for delegation letters?

Contact Tove Bæk Jensen at the Rector’s Office at legal@au.dk